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Advice on Drains and Sewers

Responsibility for drains and sewers (maintenance, repair and ensuring that they are in a clear and free flowing condition)

• A drain serving a single premises - is the responsibility of the owner of the premises until it connects with the main sewer.
• Drains which take the sewerage from more than one property - are the responsibility of the owners of the these properties draining into it, until the drain reaches the main sewer
  unless - the drains were constructed before the 1st October 1937 or have been specifically vested with the Sewerage Authority. These drains are 'public sewers' and are the responsibility of |Thames Water.
• For drinking water there are currently three water companies that provide water within the borough of Elmbridge: |Thames Water, |Three Valleys Water and |Sutton and East Surrey Water.
• |Thames Water also offer a drain clearing service using a private contractor for which they make a charge.

The Role of Elmbridge Council

The role of the Council is purely one of enforcement - we do not operate a drain clearing service.

Where owners of drains or sewers fail to get a blockage cleared and cause an environmental health problem, the Council can take formal legal action by serving a Notice on the owners of the properties connected to the drain or sewer upstream of the blockage, requiring them to clear it. If such a drain or sewer is defective and in need of repair, the Council can also serve a Notice on the owners of the properties connected to the drain or sewer.

Failure to comply with such a Notice would be an offence for which the recipients could be prosecuted.

The Council can also, at their discretion, arrange for works in default to be carried out, and then reclaim the costs, plus an administration charge from the parties concerned.

For further information contact the |Environmental Health & Licensing Division.